HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/18/2002 - STAFF REPORTS (19) DATE: September 18, 2002
TO: City Council
FROM: Director of Planning and Zoning
HSPB#33-HISTORIC PROPERTY PRESERVATION AGREEMENT("MILLS ACT CONTRACT')
BETWEEN THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGSAND PIROZZI FAMILYTRUST FOR THE PROPERTY
KNOWN AS CAREY-PIROZZI HOUSE, LOCATED AT 651 WEST VIA ESCUELA.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council approve the attached Historic Property Preservation Agreement ("Mills Act
contract') between the City of Palm Springs and the Pirozzi Family Trust for Carey-Pirozzi House,
located at 651 West Via Escuela.The trustees of the Pirozzi Family Trust are Vincent J. Pirozzi and
Karen M. Pirozzi.
SUMMARY
Carey-Pirozzi House was designated a Class 1 historic site on October 2, 1996. The Historic Site
Preservation Board, at its May 14, 2002 meeting, reviewed and approved the Mills Act contract for
Carey-Pirozzi House subject to final review and approval by the City Attorney. The City Attorney
reviewed and gave final approval for the agreement on July 25, 2002.
BACKGROUND
The Mills Act is a state sponsored legislation granting local governments the authority to directly
participate in an historic preservation program. It is designed to provide private property owners
with an economic incentive, via property tax relief, to actively participate in the restoration of their
historic properties.
Property owners qualify for property tax relief if they pledge to restore and maintain the historical
and architectural character of their properties for at least a ten-year period. A formal agreement
known as a Mills Act contract is executed between the local government and the property owner
for a minimum ten-year term. Contracts are automatically renewed each year and are transferred
to new owners when the property is sold. Property owners agree to preserve and maintain the
property in accordance with specific historic preservation standards and conditions as identified in
the contract. Local authorities may imposed penalties for breach of contract or failure to protect
the historic property. The contract is binding to all owners during the contract period.
A qualified historic property is a property listed on any official federal, state, county, or city register.
As a Class 1 historic site, Carey-Pirozzi House is recognized as a qualified historic property under
the Mills Act.
The Mills Act contract has the effect of freezing the base value of the property. There is little effect
over the first few years but as the property is restored over a longer period of time, the value
increases and the property tax savings increase over time.
The current owners of Carey-Pirozzi house have already invested a significant amount of money
to restore and preserve the property in its original state and will continue to do so. The property
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tax savings provided by the Mills Act contract will assist the owners in defraying the costs
associated with maintaining the property.
Attached is the agreement for City Council review. The HSPB and City Attorney have reviewed and
given final ap roval for the agreement.
s'
Director of nning and Building
Zr�
City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Mills Act contract
2. Minutes of HSPB Meeting on May 14, 2002
3. Minute Order
FREE RECORDING REQUESTED BY
AND WHEN RECORDED RETURN TO:
City of Palm Springs
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92263-2743
Attn: City Clerk
HISTORIC PROPERTY PRESERVATION AGREEMENT
This Historic Property Preservation Agreement ("Agreement') is made and entered into this
_ day of , 2002 (the "Effective Date"), by and between the CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, a municipal corporation ("City"), and VINCENT J. PIROZZI AND KAREN M.
PIROZZI, AS TRUSTEES OF THE PIROZZI FAMILY TRUST ("Owner"),
RECITALS:
A. California Government Code Sections 50280, et seq., authorize cities to enter into
contracts with the owners of qualified historical property to provide for the use,
maintenance and restoration of such historical property so as to retain its characteristics
as property of historical significance.
B. Owner possesses fee title in and to that certain historic dwelling, commonly known as
the "Carey-Pirozzi House," together with associated structures and improvements and
real property, all generally located at the street address 651 West Via Escuela, Palm
Springs, California 92262 (collectively, the "Historic Property"). A legal description of the
Historic Property is attached hereto as Exhibit A and is incorporated herein by this
reference.
C. On October 2, 1996 (the "Approval Date"), the City Council of the City of Palm Springs
("Council') adopted Resolution No. 18907 thereby declaring and designating the Historic
Property as an historic landmark pursuant to the terms and provisions of Chapter 8.05 of
the Palm Springs Municipal Code.
D. City and Owner, for their mutual benefit, now desire to enter into this Agreement both to
protect and preserve the characteristics of historical significance of the Carey-Pirozzi
House, in accordance with Government Code Sections 50280 through 50290, as
amended from time to time, and to qualify the Historic Property for an assessment of
valuation pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code Section 439.2.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, City and Owner, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
conditions set forth herein, do hereby agree as follows:
1. Effective Date and Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall be effective and
commence on the Effective Date, and shall remain in effect for a term often (10) years
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thereafter. Each year upon the anniversary of the Effective Date, such initial term will
automatically be extended as provided in Section 2 below.
2. Non-Renewal and Cancellation. Neither City nor Owner may terminate this Agreement
except in accordance with this Section 2. Termination shall be effected either by (a) an
election not to renew the Agreement, in which case termination shall be effective upon
the expiration of the remaining term of the Agreement, as specified in Section 2.1 below,
or (b) cancellation of the Agreement, which shall effect an immediate termination of the
Agreement upon the happening of all events specified in Sections 2.2 and 5.
2.1 Each year on the anniversary of the Effective Date (hereinafter referred to as the
"Renewal Date"), an additional one (1) year shall automatically be added to the
term of this Agreement unless written notice of non-renewal is served by the non-
renewing party at least ninety (90) days prior to the next upcoming annual
Renewal Date. City may elect not to renew this Agreement only for the reasons
and in accordance with the notice and hearing procedure set forth in Section 5
below. Owner may make a written protest of City's notice of non-renewal in
accordance with Section 5 below. The party giving notice of non-renewal may, at
any time prior to the annual Renewal Date of the Agreement, withdraw its notice
of non-renewal by giving a notice of revocation to the other party. If Owner
serves timely notice to City of non-renewal in any year, or the Council votes not
to renew the Agreement in accordance with Section 5 below after timely service
of notice by City, the Agreement shall remain in effect for the balance of the term
then remaining at the time the notice of non-renewal was given.
2.2 City may cancel this Agreement at any time only for the reasons and in
accordance with the notice and hearing procedure set forth in Section 5 below.
Owner may make a written protest of City's notice of cancellation in accordance
with Section 5 below. City may, at any time prior to termination of the Agreement,
withdraw its notice of cancellation by giving a notice of revocation to Owner.
3. Maintenance Standards for Historic Property During the term of this Agreement, the
Historic Property shall be subject to the following conditions, requirements, and
restrictions:
3.1 Owner shall restore and rehabilitate, and thereafter preserve and maintain, the
Carey-Pirozzi House, as necessary to retain the historical significance of the
Historic Property, in substantial conformance with the architectural plans and
drawings attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Plans"). Owner and City agree and
acknowledge that City has reviewed and approved the Plans, and that the Plans
formed the basis both for the Council's approval of the Historic Property as an
historic landmark and for the Council's decision to cause City to enter into this
Agreement. Owner and City further agree and acknowledge that the Plans, as of
the Approval Date, comply with the standards for a qualified historic property
within the meaning of Government Code Section 50284, as this section is
applied, and will hereafter be applied, to the Historic Property. Owner may
hereafter modify the Plans, or alter or remove any structures, improvements or
features from the Plans, and from the Historic Property (other than the Carey-
Pirrozi House), after the Completion Date (as defined below), only so long as any
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such modifications, alterations and/or removal do not materially and adversely
affect the historical significance of the Historic Property as determined in Owner's
reasonable discretion; provided, however, that Owner may perform routine
maintenance and repair of the Carey-Pirozzi House, but may not materially alter
the Carey-Pirozzi House without the prior approval of City which approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Before performing any work requiring
the approval of City, Owner shall give at least sixty (60) days' written notice to
City, describing the work to be done; if City shall not have acted within sixty (60)
days thereafter to disapprove the work, or to approve the work subject to
specified conditions, the work shall be deemed approved as submitted. In all
events. City's Director of Planning and Building shall be notified of all changes to
the Historic Property and/or the Plans which Owner reasonably determines to be
significant, prior to implementation of the changes. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary. Owner shall not be required to perform any restoration or
rehabilitation to the Historic Property except as specified in the Plans as of the
Approval Date. Upon completion of the rehabilitation in accordance with the
Plans, no further restoration or rehabilitation shall be required, and Owner shall
only be required to maintain the Historical Property in accordance with the Plans
as of the Approval Date, without regard to any subsequent changes in law or
regulations.
3.2 Upon reasonable advance notice. Owner shall allow reasonable periodic
examinations of the interior and exterior of the Historic Property by City, County
Assessor, and the State Board of Equalization, as may be necessary to
determine Owner's compliance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
3.3 Owner shall landscape the Historic Property so as to permit a view corridor near
the entrance to the Carey-Pirozzi House, enabling the general public to see the
entry to the Carey-Pirozzi House from the portion of West Via Escuela adjacent
to the Historic Property, and an historical marker briefly documenting the site for
public view shall be maintained adjacent to the public right-of-way near the entry
within one (1) year after the Completion Date. Such marker has been provided by
the City and is in City's standard form used for historical properties as of the
Effective Date (as to size, material, text, exact location and method of
installation), and in the event of its loss, theft, or destruction, shall be replaced at
Owner's sole cost and expense (provided, however, that if the total cost and
expense of creating and installing the marker shall exceed $250, the excess shall
be borne solely by City), and maintained at Owner's sole cost and expense. City
acknowledges and agrees that Owner is maintaining the Historic Property as a
private residence, and the marker and view corridor shall be situated and limited
so as to minimize public intrusion and afford Owner all reasonable expectations
of privacy.
3.4 Owner shall take reasonable steps to obtain and keep in force during the term of
this Agreement a policy or policies of insurance (or a reasonable substitute
therefor) covering damage to the Carey-Pirozzi House against all perils included
within the classification of fire, extended coverage, vandalism, malicious mischief
and other generally covered perils, but excluding earthquake, flood and other
matters either not generally available within the Palm Springs area, or not
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generally offered in such a policy without requiring an additional premium.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein. Owner shall not be required to
pay insurance premiums in an aggregate amount exceeding $1,000.00 a year (in
1997 dollars) for the Carey-Pirrozi House. Failure to maintain insurance or a
reasonable substitute therefor shall be grounds for termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 5(a) below.
4. Provision of Information. Owner hereby agrees to furnish City with all reasonable
information requested by City which may be necessary or advisable to determine
compliance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
5. Non-Renewal and Cancellation.
(a) City may elect not to renew this Agreement in its reasonable discretion consistent
with applicable law, including without limitation that Owner has failed to comply
with its obligations hereunder.
(b) City, following a duly noticed public hearing before the Council, may elect to
cancel this Agreement only if the Council finds and determines that (1) Owner,
through its own willful or negligent acts, and subject to Section 16 below, has
failed to restore or rehabilitate the Historic Property in accordance with the Plans
on or before the Completion Date, or (ii) Owner, through its own willful or
negligent acts, and subject to Section 16 below, has allowed the Historic
Property to deteriorate beyond the point that it no longer meets the standards for
a qualified historic property, and the deterioration is serious and irreversible.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Historic Property shall be
deemed to meet the standards for a qualified historic property if it is in
compliance with the Plans and it is maintained in accordance with Section 3.2.
(d) If City determines to cancel or not to renew this Agreement as specified above, it
shall provide Owner with written notice of its intent to cancel or not renew, and
such notice must specify in detail the reasons for the cancellation and/or non-
renewal and the steps which Owner must take to cure any such problems (unless
such reasons are not susceptible of cure). If City determines in its reasonable
discretion that Owner has not cured such problems within ninety (90) days of
such notice (or if curing such problems will reasonably take longer than ninety
(90) days and Owner has not commenced diligent efforts to cure such problems
within ninety (90) days), then City shall (i) with respect to a decision to cancel,
notice and hold a second public hearing before the Council to determine whether
to cancel this Agreement, or (ii) with respect to a decision not to renew, provide
Owner with written notice of its final decision not to renew this Agreement. Notice
of all hearings under this Agreement shall be given to Owner directly pursuant to
Section 10 below and published in accordance with Government Code Section
6061.
(e) If City cancels (but not if City elects not to renew) this Agreement in accordance
with this Section 5, Owner shall pay a cancellation fee of twelve and one-half
percent (12Yz%) of the full value of the Historic Property at the time of
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cancellation. The full value shall be determined by the County Assessor without
regard to any restriction on the Historic Property imposed pursuant to this
Agreement. The cancellation fee shall be paid to the State Controller at such time
and in such manner as the Controller shall prescribe and shall be deposited in
the State General Fund. As an alternative to cancellation of this Agreement for
breach of any condition. City may (without limiting Owner's right to elect not to
renew this Agreement), but is not obligated to, bring any action in court
necessary to enforce the Agreement including, but not limited to, an action for
specific performance or injunction.
6. No Compensation. Owner shall not receive any payment from City in consideration of
the obligations imposed under this Agreement (other than costs in excess of $500 for
the historical marker). Owner and City acknowledge and agree that the primary
consideration to City for the execution of this Agreement is the substantial benefit to the
citizens of Palm Springs accruing from the rehabilitation and maintenance of the Historic
Property, and the primary consideration to Owner is the economic advantage that will
accrue to Owner as 'a result of the effect, upon the assessed value of the Historic
Property, of the restrictions on the use and preservation of the Historic Property imposed
hereunder.
7. Condemnation. Upon the filing of an action in eminent domain by a public entity for the
taking of all or any portion of any interest in the Historic Property, and a determination by
City that such action will frustrate the purpose of this Agreement, then in such event this
Agreement shall be canceled as to those portions of the Historic Property that are
affected by the condemnation action (such that the value shall be appraised for
condemnation purposes as unencumbered by the historic property restrictions set forth
herein), and no fee shall be imposed on Owner for cancellation in accordance with
Government Code Section 50286. If subsequent to the filing of an action in eminent
domain, the proposed condemnation is abandoned by the condemning agency as to all
or a portion of the, Historic Property, the restrictions on the use of the Historic Property
included in this Agreement shall be automatically reinstated, the Historic Property shall
be deemed, retroactive to the date of such abandonment, to have been subject to this
Agreement, and the terms of this Agreement shall be in full force and effect.
8. Destruction. Upon any damage to or destruction of the Carey-Pirozzi House, Owner and
City shall proceed in accordance with this Section 8. In the event there is any damage to
or destruction of the Historic Property other than the Carey-Pirozzi House, this
Agreement shall not be deemed to require Owner to rebuild, repair or restore the
damaged portion, and Owner shall not be held in default under this Agreement for its
failure to do so, provided, however, that this provision does not relieve Owner of any
obligation to repair or otherwise take action with respect to the Historic Property to the
extent required to do so by applicable state and federal laws and regulations, if any,
other than historical preservation laws.
(a) Minor Insured Damage In the event the Carey-Pirrozi House or any portion
thereof is damaged by any casualty that is covered by the insurance maintained
by Owner, then Owner shall rebuild, repair and restore the damaged portion
thereof provided that (i) the amount of insurance proceeds available to Owner
equals or exceeds the cost of such rebuilding, restoration and repair, and the
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total cost of repair is less than $250,000 (in the opinion of a licensed architect,
engineer or other qualified person selected by Owner and approved by City in its
reasonable discretion), (ii) such rebuilding, restoration and repair can be
completed within nine (9) months after the work commences, in the opinion of a
registered architect or engineer or other qualified person selected by Owner and
approved by City in its reasonable discretion, (iii) City has not acted to cancel or
not to renew this Agreement on or before the date of commencement, and (iv)
such rebuilding, restoration or repair is then permitted to be done under
governmental laws, rules and regulations in existence as of the Approval Date in
such a manner as to return the damaged portion thereof to substantially its
condition immediately prior to the damage or destruction. To the extent that
insurance proceeds must be applied to reduce any indebtedness secured by a
mortgage or deed of trust encumbering the Historic Property or any portion
thereof such proceeds, for the purposes of this subsection, shall be deemed not
available to Owner unless such beneficiary permits Owner to use such proceeds
for the rebuilding, restoration and repair of the damaged portion thereof. If Owner
is required under this Section to rebuild, restore or repair the Carey-Pirozzi
House, such work shall commence not later than one (1) year after receipt of the
applicable insurance proceeds, and Owner shall thereafter diligently proceed to
complete such work within eighteen (18) months after commencement; provided,
however, that so long as Owner shall be diligently proceeding toward completion
of the work, such commencement and completion dates shall be extended by
City's Director of Building and Planning upon Owner's request.
(b) Major or Uninsured Damage In the event the Carey-Pirozzi House or any portion
thereof is damaged or destroyed by any casualty to the extent that Owner is not
obligated, under subsection (a) above, to rebuild, repair or restore the damaged
portion thereof, then within sixty (60)days after either (i) a final determination that
damage is not an insured claim (or one (1) year after the date of damage,
whichever comes first), or (ii) Owner's receipt of insurance premiums sufficient to
rebuild (as determined under subsection (a) above). Owner shall notify City of its
election, at its option, either to (1) rebuild, restore and repair the damaged
portions thereof, in which case Owner's notice shall specify the time period within
which Owner estimates such repairs or restoration can be completed; or (2)
terminate this Agreement effective as of the date the damage or destruction
occurred. If Owner elects to rebuild, restore or repair the Carey-Pirozzi House
under this Section, such work shall commence not later than one (1) year after
receipt of the applicable insurance proceeds (or determination that the damage is
not an insured claim), and Owner shall thereafter diligently proceed to complete
such work within eighteen (18) months after commencement; provided, however,
that so long as Owner shall be diligently proceeding toward completion of the
work, such commencement and completion dates shall be extended by City's
Director of Building and Planning upon Owner's request.
(c) Termination. If Owner elects to terminate this Agreement as provided in Section
8(b), no cancellation fee shall be required. Upon Owner's election to terminate,
the Historic Property shall be reassessed retroactively, as of the damage or
destruction date(s) (but taking into account such damage or destruction), in
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accordance with applicable property tax laws, as if the Historic Property was not
subject to this Agreement following such damage or destruction date(s).
9. Binding Effect of Agreement Owner hereby subjects the Historic Property to the
covenants, reservations, and restrictions set forth in this Agreement. City- and Owner
hereby declare their specific intent that the covenants, reservations, and restrictions set
forth herein shall be deemed covenants running with the land and shall pass to and be
binding upon Owner's successors and assigns in title or interest to the Historic Property.
Each and every contract, deed or other instrument hereinafter executed, covering or
conveying the Historic Property, or any portion thereof, shall conclusively be held to
have been executed, delivered, and accepted subject to the covenants, reservations,
and restrictions expressed in this Agreement regardless of whether such covenants,
reservations, and restrictions are set forth in such contract, deed or other instrument.
City and Owner hereby declare their understanding and intent that the burden of the
covenants, reservations, and restrictions set forth herein touch and concern the land in
that Owner's legal interest in the Historic Property is rendered less valuable thereby. City
and Owner hereby further declare their understanding and intent that the benefit of such
covenants, reservations, and restrictions touch and concern the land by enhancing and
maintaining the historic characteristics and significance of the Historic Property for the
benefit of the public and Owner.
10. Unenforceability. In the event a court of competent jurisdiction finds that this Agreement
does not constitute an enforceable restriction within the meaning of the applicable
provisions of the Government Code and the Revenue and Taxation Code, except for an
unenforceability arising from the cancellation or non-renewal of this Agreement, for any
tax year during the original term or any renewal of this Agreement, then this Agreement;
shall be null and void and without further effect, and the Historic Property shall from such
time be free from any restriction whatsoever under this Agreement without any payment
or further act of the parties to the Agreement.
11. Notice. Any notice required to be given by the terms of this Agreement shall be provided
in writing and shall be mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested or delivered by a
recognized delivery or overnight courier service to the address of the respective parties
as specified below or at any other address as may be later specified by the parties
hereto by written notice given in accordance with this Section 11. Deposit of notice in the
mail, certified, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, or receipt of delivery as
specified above, shall be deemed receipt of the notice.
To City: City of Palm Springs
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, California 92262
Attn: City Manager
With a copy to: Burke Williams & Sorensen, LLP
18301 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1050
Irvine, California 92612-2009
Attn: David Aleshire, Esq.
To Owner: Vincent J. Pirrozi and Karen M. Pirozzi
651 W. Via Escuela
Palm Springs, California 92262
12. General Provisions.
12.1 None of the terms, provisions or conditions of this Agreement shall be deemed to
create a partnership between the parties hereto and/or any of their heirs,
successors or assigns, nor shall such terms, provisions or conditions cause the
parties to be considered joint venturers or members of any joint enterprise.
12.2 Owner agrees to and shall hold City and its elected officials, officers, agents, and
employees harmless from liability for damage or claims for damage for personal
injuries, including death, and claims for property damage which may arise from
the direct or indirect use or operations of Owner or those of Owner's contractor,
subcontractor, agent, employee or other person acting on Owner's behalf which
relates to the use, operation, and maintenance of the Historic Property. City
agrees to and shall hold Owner and Owner's officers, principals, agents,
contractors, employees, heirs, successors and assigns harmless from liability for
damage or claims for damage for personal injuries, including death, and claims
for property damage which may arise from the activities on the Historic Property
of City or those of City's contractor, subcontractor, agent, employee or other
person acting on City's behalf which relates to City's activities on the Historic
Property.
12.3 All of the agreements, rights, covenants, reservations, and restrictions contained
in this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto, their heirs, successors, legal representatives, assigns and all
persons acquiring any part or portion of the Historic Property, whether by
operation of law or in any manner whatsoever.
12.4 In the event legal proceedings are brought by any party or parties to enforce or
restrain a violation of any of the covenants, reservations or restrictions contained
herein, or to determine the rights and duties of any party hereunder, the
prevailing party in such proceeding may recover all reasonable attorneys' fees to
be fixed by the court, in addition to court costs and other relief ordered by the
court.
12.5 Subject to Section 10 above, in the event that any of the provisions of this
Agreement are held to be unenforceable or invalid by any court of competent
jurisdiction, or by subsequent preemptive legislation, the validity and
enforceability of the remaining provisions, or portions thereof, shall not be
affected thereby.
12.6 This Agreement shall be construed and governed in accordance with the laws of
the State of California.
12.7 City shall cooperate with Owner to the extent necessary in providing the County
Assessor's Office with confirmation of and -information regarding this Agreement
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in connection with the qualification of the Historic-Property for the initial
assessment and any subsequent assessments of valuation, of the Historic
Property encumbered with restricted historical property status in accordance with
the California Revenue and Taxation Code.
12.8 This Agreement may be signed in one or more counterparts, each such
counterpart shall be considered as part of and the same document as all other
related counterparts.
12.9 This Agreement has been agreed to by the parties only after negotiations
between City and Owner, both of which were represented by counsel.
Accordingly, this Agreement shall not be construed as if it had been prepared
only by City or Owner, but rather as if both City and Owner had prepared the
same.
13. Recordation. No later than twenty (20) days after the parties execute and enter into this
Agreement, City shall cause this Agreement to be recorded in the office of the County
Recorder of the County of Riverside.
14. Notification of Contract. Owner shall provide written notice of the existence of this
Agreement to HPD within six (6) months after execution of this Agreement.
15. Amendments. This Agreement may be amended, in whole or in part, only by a written
recorded instrument executed by the parties hereto.
16. Force Majeure. If the performance by Owner of any provision of this Agreement is
delayed or prevented by any act of God, strike, lockout, shortage of material or labor,
restriction by any governmental authority, civil riot, flood, and any other cause not within
the control of Owner, then the period for Owner's performance of the provision shall be
automatically extended for the same time Owner is so delayed or hindered.
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Page 4 of 7
Historic Site Preservation Board Meeting
May 14, 2002
purchased. He informed them of the historical designation and what that implied. To characterized
the process as punitive or difficult is ignoring past history. The owner is well aware of the
importance of this building and of the existence of the HSPB. The HSPB would have been very
helpful if Ms. Summers would have followed proper procedures. To threaten to remove and
important building from designation is uncivic.
Ms. Summers stated she did not care if Mr. Harrell felt it was uncivic or not. Ms. Summers further
stated that what really happened was she was doing a retrofit to the building in the amount of
$140,000. She got a call from her realtor that the HSPB was going to shut down her project
because the board did not like her tile. Ms. Summers stated there is federal funding to get the
historic buildings back into shape but the board did not want to fill out the paperwork. Her feeling
is that she can't get her building taken off the Historic Class I site soon enough.
AGENDA ITEMS:
1. Carey/Pirozzi House, Mills Act Agreement
Director Evans stated this is an existing Class I Historic designation. Planning has been working
with the Pirozzi family regarding the Mills Act Agreement. The terms and conditions are similar to
the Coffman house agreement with the Mills Act agreement being reviewed each year. The City
may cancel the agreement in accordance with Section 5. Any changes require review by the HSPB
along with inspections by the City,County Assessor and State Board of Equalization. Landscaping
completed and maintained with a view corridor. The existing plaque has been placed on site but
a relocation has to be worked out with the owner in order to minimize the public from walking on
the site to find the plaque. Property insurance is required to maintain the site in a historic fashion.
Planning recommends approval of the agreement subject to review by the City Attorney. If the City
Attorney proposes any changes it will be brought back to HSPB for discussion.
M/S/C (Conrad/Prout 4-0)to approve the Mills Act Agreement with the Carey Pirozzi House.
2. Designation of Racquet Club discussion.
Owner requested the designation of the Racquet Club discussion be removed from the agenda.
Director Evans stated he will get a written request from the property owner prior to placing it on a
future agenda.
3. Plaquing of the Wexler Steel Houses.
Director Evans stated that the balance of the plaques are completed. Director Evans requested
direction from the board as to whether they would like to participate in selecting installation
locations for the plaques or if staff should meet with each individual property owner.
Board Member Harrell suggested that Director Evans designate a committee of one to complete
the plaque installation locations.
MINUTE ORDER NO.
APPROVING THE HISTORIC PROPERTY PRESERVATION
AGREEMENT ("MILLS ACT CONTRACT') BETWEEN THE
PIROZZI FAMILY TRUST AND THE CITYOF PALM SPRINGS FOR
THE PROPERTY KNOWN AS CAREY-PIROZZI HOUSE,
LOCATED AT 651 W. VIA ESCUELA.
1 HEREBY CERTIFY that this Minute Order, approving the Mills Act contract between the Pirozzi
Family Trust and the City of Palm Springs for the property known as Carey-Pirozzi House, located
at 651 W. Via Escuela, was adopted by the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California, in
a meeting thereof held on the of 2001.
PATRICIA A. SANDERS
City Clerk